Land and Identity

Where it surfaces

• I

  The land is described as overwhelming and indifferent, shaping the characters' struggles and sense of self; Alexandra's wish to 'let the grass grow back' reflects the land's dominance over human effort.

• II

  The land is central to the Bergson family's identity and future, with John urging his children to never lose it.

• III

  Ivar's deep connection to the land and its creatures contrasts with the Bergson brothers' utilitarian view.

• IV

  Alexandra believes the land will become valuable over time, tying her identity and future to the stubborn cultivation of the Divide.

• V

  Alexandra's deep emotional connection to the Divide and her vision for its future highlight how land shapes identity and purpose.

• The Divide Transformed

  Alexandra's farm is described as an expression of her character, with the land itself reflecting her order and care. The graveyard and the fields symbolize the deep connection between the settlers and the soil.

• V

  Carl's walk through the pastures and his memories of milking with Alexandra tie his sense of self to the landscape of the Divide.

• Chapter X

  The argument over who owns and controls the land underscores how deeply the land is tied to family identity and personal worth.

• II

  Alexandra's identity is deeply intertwined with the land; her happiest memories are impersonal yet profoundly personal, rooted in the flat, fallow world and the soil's joyous germination.

• III

  Alexandra reaffirms her deep bond with the land, stating it belongs to the future and that those who love it own it for a little while.